Tuesday, February 17, 2009

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

At 2:22 and 1,600 feet of elevation gain this morning's ride doesn't sound too difficult. However, given the fact that I've only ridden three times since I was last here over the Christmas holiday it was more than enough to work me over.

I guess ski fitness is different than bike fitness...

At least the scenery didn't disappoint. Thanks to all of the rain that has fallen over the last few weeks the desert is lush and green. In another week or two it should absolutley explode into color. There was, however, one type of shrub that was starting to flower (I need to take a picture so Alex can identify the plant - the flowers were red) but none of the cacti that I saw had bloomed yet.

I'll bet the yellow daisy-like flower is Brittlebush, Encilia farinosa. Here's a pic. It was just barely starting to bloom when I was down there. They call it that because in the summer all the leaves shrivel up and fall off and the shrub looks like it's dead.